Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1887-05-29
PROTECTION.
Trial of the Hand Engine in the
Park Last Evening a
Success
But the Majority of Interested
Property Holders Exhibit the
Greatest Indifference.
Fire Protection.

1t Is surprising to see the laxity dis
played by men most directly interest
ed in the welfare of this city where
matters Of general interest and import
ance are concerned. The matter OF
fire protection has been repeatedly
urged through these columns, but
somehow there would be q little inter.
est displayed right after the fire fiend
had devastated from one to three
blocks at time, that interest, though,
would die out before the ashes were
cold. 1t has been the experience OF
many business men living in "Omni.
bus" blocks, brick to all outside ap-
pearances, but q balloon and fire trap
inside, and of those in frame rrnges,
to have their rates advanced now and
then. They kick when 30 informed.
but continue to pay about the same
amount annually for insurance, even
though they are carrying less insur.
anCe under the advanced rate, their
annual premium is the same as in
former years. II is not deemed by
underwriters Or any body else that In.
suraTce companies are started to be
charitable concerns, they propose ito
indemnify the insured against haz.
ard over which he has no control"
and those companies have certainly
paid every honest loss without a mur.
mur IN this town, some have with.
drawn their agencies from q field
which has proven improbable. Others
have decided to give the town another
trial, but witness the result: Confla.
grations have become more numerous
and the public spirit Of the citizens
has Jagged more and more every year,
every fire, every day. 1t has been
stated In these columns that o hand
fire-engine was provided and put in
good repair, business men were in.
vited both In person and through these
columns to witness the capacity and
Judge for themselves. and the hour an.
nounced between 8 and 8 o'clock last
evening, and who responded to the
call? A few public spirited men who
have little or no interest in the matter
Of fire protection, even the fire insur-
ance men were shy" all but one
Not business man from the frame
ranges was there, and few had q rep
resentstive. Under Major Logan's di
rection the engine did good work. A,
one time, with one steam, and seven
eighth-inch nozzle in the 200 feet o.
hose. II senta good stream ll6 feel
with eight men on the brakes. /,
was then suggested to take the engin,
up town to some open well and try 4
some enthusiasm could not be scar
ed" up In the matter, but all Of the
800 feet of hose with female couplings
had been borrowed at the post and II
was agreed to take that back last
night aud IL was nearly eight O'Clock
when Il was ascertained that hardly
enough men could be induced to walk
from Main street to the park 10 at
least see what the engine.could do and
take.hold Of the brakes. 1t Is our can
did opinion that q company OF fifty
men, drilled to know their places, two
open wells. In each block. which will
cost about $40 each. or less that IS fol
each Main street lot, 400 feet Of hose
at seventy cents foot, and the "Nep
tunen hand engine, with suitable hos'
carriage, will furnish sufficient pro-
lection for the present, and will an
swer all purposes until the town car
do better. Now, gentlemen, II you
say 80, Major Logan may borrow sui
ficient hose again for another trial
Name the day.